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Testimonials
A lot of the smart viruses and Trojan horses today try really hard and prevent you form going to the main anti-virus and "cleanup" sort of product including microsoft own tools. They actually block your access to those sites.
A couple of weeks ago my wife's laptop got totally infected (she must be browsing porn) and I ended up finding a little known program that did most of the clean up and then followed up with Microsoft tools that are available on their site and successfully cleaned everything with the exception of one item i had to get rid of manually.
Name of the product is Exterminate it. Worked pretty well.
Spoonshadows
Messenger
Aliases of Messenger (AKA):
[Kaspersky] TrojanDownloader.Win32.Perfiler
How to Remove Messenger from Your Computer
To completely purge Messenger from your computer, you need to delete the files and folders associated with Messenger. These files and folders are respectively listed in the Files and Folders sections on this page.
For instructions on deleting the Messenger files and folders, see the following section How to Delete Messenger Files (.exe, .dll, etc.).
How to Delete Messenger Files (.exe, .dll, etc.)
The files and folders associated with Messenger are listed in the Files and Folders sections on this page.
To delete the Messenger files and folders:
- Using your file explorer, browse to each file and folder listed in the Folders and Files sections.Note: The paths use certain conventions such as [%PROGRAM_FILES%]. These conventions are explained here.
- Select the file or folder and press SHIFT+Delete on the keyboard.
- Click Yes in the confirm deletion dialog box.
Files:
Scan your File System for Messenger
Messenger Categorized as:
Adware
Software that is designed to launch advertisements, frequently pop-up ads, on a user’s computer and/or to redirect search results to promotional Web sites. Adware programs are often built into freeware or shareware programs, where the adware creates an indirect ‘charge’ for using the free program. Sometimes a trojan can silently download an adware program from a Web site and install it onto a user’s machine.
Hacker tools, or Browser Hijackers, can also download an adware program by exploiting a web browser’s vulnerability. Browser Hijackers may tamper with the browser settings, redirect incorrect or incomplete URLs to unwanted Web sites, or change the default home page. They can also re-direct a user’s searches to “pay-to-view” (often pornographic) Web sites.
Typically, many adware programs do not leave any marks of their presence in the system: they are not listed on Start | Programs; they add no icons to the system tray; and they don’t show up on the task list. In addition, adware programs seldom provide an uninstallation procedure, and attempts at manually removing them frequently result in failure of the original carrier program.
Downloader
A type of trojan. The primary purpose of downloaders is to install malicious code on a user’s computer. However, they can enable other malicious uses. For example, they can be used to continually download new versions of malicious code, adware, or “pornware.” They are also used frequently used to exploit the vulnerabilities of Internet Explorer.
Downloaders are typically written in script languages such as VBS or JavaScript.
How Did My PC Get Infected with Messenger?
The following are the most likely reasons why your computer got infected with Messenger:
- Your operating system and Web browser's security settings are too lax.
- You are not following safe Internet surfing and PC practices.
Downloading and Installing Freeware or Shareware
Small-charge or free software applications may come bundled with spyware, adware, or programs like Messenger. Sometimes adware is attached to free software to enable the developers to cover the overhead involved in created the software. Spyware frequently piggybacks on free software into your computer to damage it and steal valuable private information.
Using Peer-to-Peer Software
The use of peer-to-peer (P2P) programs or other applications using a shared network exposes your system to the risk of unwittingly downloading infected files, including malicious programs like Messenger.
Visiting Questionable Web Sites
When you visit sites with dubious or objectionable content, trojans-including Messenger-, spyware, and adware, may well be automatically downloaded and installed onto your computer.
Detecting Messenger
The following symptoms signal that your computer is very likely to be infected with Messenger.
PC is working very slowly
Messenger can seriously slow down your computer. If your PC takes a lot longer than normal to restart or your Internet connection is extremely slow, your computer may well be infected with Messenger.
New desktop shortcuts have appeared or the home page has changed
Messenger can tamper with your Internet settings or redirect your default home page to unwanted web sites. Messenger may even add new shortcuts to your PC desktop.
Annoying popups keep appearing on your PC
Messenger may swamp your computer with pestering popup ads, even when you're not connected to the Internet, while secretly tracking your browsing habits and gathering your personal information.
E-mails that you didn't write are being sent from your mailbox
Messenger may gain complete control of your mailbox to generate and send e-mail with virus attachments, e-mail hoaxes, spam, and other types of unsolicited e-mail to other people.
Check now if your PC is infected with Messenger
Also Be Aware of the Following Threats:
Download ExterminateIt!
to instantly get rid of Messenger!
